The sixth-largest multistate food poisoning outbreak of 2015 was a Listeria outbreak linked to soft cheeses produced by Karoun Dairies Inc. Thirty people in 10 states were sickened after eating cheeses distributed by Karoun and sold under a variety of brand names. Three people died and one woman had a miscarriage.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collaborated on the investigation of the outbreak. Together they identified five rare outbreak strains that had been causing illness since August 8, 2010. The most recent illnesses were reported during the summer of 2015.
Most of those sickened reported eating Middle Eastern, Eastern European, Mediterranean, or Mexican-style cheeses, including ani, paneer, feta, Middle … [Read more...]

The Listeria outbreak linked to soft cheeses produced by Karoun Dairies Inc. of San Fernando, California has ended after killing three people, sickening 27 others and causing one miscarriage. However, because some consumers may still have the recalled cheese in their refrigerators, health officials are worried that others may become sick.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U. S. Food and Drug Administration worked together on the investigation of the outbreak. Together they used DNA testing to identify five rare outbreak strains that sickened 30 people in 10 states over the course of five years. The most recent illnesses were reported this summer.
By state the case count was as follows: California (18), Colorado (1), Illinois (2), Massachusetts (2), … [Read more...]

A strange outbreak was announced this month by the FDA and CDC. At least 22 people were sick with five rare and very similar strains of Listeria monocytogenes; 22 of them were hospitalized. That's not uncommon, but here's the weird part: those illnesses began in 2010.
Government officials investigated, and found that 83% of those patients reported eating soft cheeses in the month before they got sick. Further investigation found that four of seven ill people specified a brand of soft cheese distributed by Karoun Dairies of San Fernando, California.
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis of two environmental samples collected by the FDA showed Listeria monocytogenes bacteria that is "highly related" to the outbreak strains found in sick people. Those samples were collected at Central … [Read more...]

FDA inspectors found Listeria at a manufacturing facility where cheese associated with a a deadly Listeria outbreak is made. Genomic testing has revealed that the strain found in samples taken from the plant closely resembles the outbreak strain in those who became ill.
An outbreak associated with soft cheeses produced by Karoun Dairies, Inc. of San Fernando, California has caused 24 illnesses, one miscarriage and one fatality. The most recent illnesses were reported this summer. Then health officials used genetic testing to identify cases in nine states going back to 2010. This is similar to how the Blue Bell Listeria outbreak was discovered and investigated.
Several of the case patients in this outbreak mentioned eating Karoun cheeses before becoming ill. Investigators collected … [Read more...]

Three stores have posted recalls of Karoun Dairies cheeses on their websites for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. There is an outbreak associated with these cheeses that has sickened 24 people, killed one person, and caused one miscarriage over the past five years.
Wegmans has posted a recall of six varieties of cheese sold in the Cheese Shop. They are Queso Del Valle Queso Blanco with UPC number 277889000000, Queso Del Valle Queso Panela with UPC number 277884000000, Queso Del Valle Queso Fresco with UPC number 277883000000, Queso Del Valle Cotija with UPC number 277885000000, Central Valley Creamery Farm Fresh Basket Cheese in 8 ounce packages with UPC number 79625222003, and GOPI Paneer in 226 gram packages with UPC number 79625270008.
Big Y has posted a recall as … [Read more...]

Karoun Dairies has released photos of the cheeses recalled for Listeria monocytogenes contamination. These cheeses are linked to a Listeria outbreak in this country that has sickened at least 24 people in nine states. One person in Ohio has died, and one pregnant women suffered a miscarriage. Additional illnesses are under investigation, according to the CDC.
You can see pictures of the recalled products at the FDA web site. Look at them carefully. If you ate any of these products over the past five years and suffered the symptoms of a Listeria infection, see your doctor.
The headline of the CDC article is "Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Soft Cheeses", but in the report, they state that "the investigation has not conclusively identified the source of this outbreak, but most ill … [Read more...]

A Listeria outbreak linked to soft cheeses has sickened 24 people, killing one of them and causing one miscarriage, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The cases, reported from nine states over a five-year period, are associated with cheeses produced by Karoun Dairies, Inc. of San Fernando, California which have been recalled.
The recalled products are vacuum packed, in jars or in pails under the brands: Karoun, Arz, Gopi, Queso Del Valle, Central Valley Creamery, Gopi, and Yanni. Weights vary from 5 ounces to 30 pounds. They were distributed to nationwide to grocery stores and food service accounts. Two of the stores that carried the recalled products are Publix and Sam's Club.
Consumers who have purchased these cheese should not eat them as Listeria … [Read more...]

Karoun Dairies Inc. of San Fernando, California is recalling a variety of cheeses that have been associated with Listeria illnesses. Consumers who have purchased any of these cheeses should not eat them as Listeria can cause serious illness and death.
"Listeria’s natural habitat is in the soil. It is highly adaptable, however, and once Listeria gains a foothold in a food processing plant, it can quickly spread onto food contact surfaces and into the food itself," said Brendan Flaherty, a food safety lawyer.
Those at high risk of Listeria infections are young children, seniors, those with compromised immune systems and pregnant women. Among pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or infection of newborns.Symptoms of an infection include … [Read more...]